Commission on Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Chairman the Hon Johnny S - PDF document

1 MINUTES Commission on Courts of Limited
MINUTES Commission on Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Chairman, the Hon. Johnny Seiffert, called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m. Members Present: Doug Harkin, Hon. Gayle Stahl, Hon. Mary Jane Knisely, Hon. Scott Wyckman, Prof. Staff Present:Guests Present: Hon. Larry Carver, Hon. Greg MohrPUBLIC COMMENT: Judge Michelle Snowberger asked for time during the Legal Services was putting the order of protection form on the HotDocs system and the. The Commission approved the request and MINUTES: The minutes from the February 16, 2007 meeting were reviewed. A motion was made by Prof. Tonon and seconded the minutes be approved as written. The motion passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS: Letter to City Attorneys: The Commission reviewed a letter written to city attorneys any appointments for city judges to ensure the appointments comply with 2004 Attorney General Opinion that terms. Judge Harkin suggested that Mr. Luwehappen if the appointment is not done correctly. Commission memberTO DO: Mr. Luwe will rewrite the letter and forward it to staff. Staff will send the will contact the MMIA for a mailing list. Th

2 e Commission reviewed the Court Watch Ma
e Commission reviewed the Court Watch Manual submitted nst Sexual and Domestic Violence. Judge Snowberger noted that a court watch program was star Commission members did not want to provide comment about the drcourts should be referred to as “limited” courts not “lower” 1 TO DO: Staff will thank the coalition in writing and will request copies of any NEW BUSINESS Training Visits/New Courts: ed their inventory forms so he would be following up with them. Judge Mohr also reported on a recent training visit to Brockton, where the city is starting a city court. He is concerned because many items are unfinished and incomplete. Judge Mohr will conduct another training visit to Brockton and report back to the Commission. assigned mentors: Hon. David Riggin Hon. Perry Miller Hon. Leland Spottedbird Hon. Greg Mohr Hon. Kathleen Brandis Hon. Gordon Smith or Hon. Scott Wyckman TO DO: Staff will follow up with mentors and ensure they contact their assigned Certification Test: Beth reported that Judge Willis Etter did not pass the certification test and requested an additional waiver. The Co

3 mmission approved a waiver of three The
mmission approved a waiver of three The Commission also TO DO: Staff will follow up notify Judge Etter in writing of the extension. Mr. Luwe presented the questions that were submitted regarding the public defender system. He noted that Jim Taylor offered to have a joint meeting with the Commission. After some discussion, Commission members agrubmit any additional quewill than compile the questions and staff will forward them to Randi Hood, Chief Public Defender. If questions or issues remain outstanding, the Commission meeting with the Public Defender CommissiTO DO: Staff will request that judges submit questions by May 15. Mr. Luwe will compile the questions, which will be forwarded by staff to Randi Hood in June. Judge David Ortley notified the Commission members that he understood that a letter he wrote in opposition to HB722 was upsetting to some judges. He wanted the Commission members to be aware that he ha 2 Complaint Regarding City Court: an informal complaint about a city court judge. The person claimed the jcommunity service in addition to other complaints. The Commission said that they could onl

4 y respond to formal complaints. However,
y respond to formal complaints. However, Commission members thought it was a resolved. Judge Wyckman agreed to speak with the judge during the conference about some of the geperson that he/she can request in writing that the Commission provide additional information to the judge. Beth passed out very preliminary statistics for the Commission to review. The stats come from the FullCourt repository and need refining. Commission members the item at the next meeting. TO DO: The matter will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. Staff will nstrate how the reports are compiled. rney General opinion entitled a minor to an attorney for a MIP charge. Judge Ortley and Judge Knisely will look at the opinion. TO DO: The matter will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. Judge will report on the two matters. The Commission requested that staff send the minutes and a draft agenda out. Commission members will review the information and determine whether a May meeting is necessary. If not, the next meeting will take place in June at a date, time The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:50 p.m. 3